If you are looking to be hired as a police officer or to advance your existing law enforcement career, a college degree can be a deciding factor on your success. While there remains a degree of resistance to higher education, the officers who advanced the farthest most often have a criminal justice or public administration degree on their resume. The decision of whether or … [Read more...]
New Guns for 2013
Ed. note: Thanks to Walt Rauch and Police & Security News for bringing us this roundup of new guns for 2013. The annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show provides a major venue for manufacturers and dealers to showcase their products and introduce new models. It gets larger each year. The 2013 show, held in Las Vegas in January, boasted 1600 plus vendors, … [Read more...]
Using Ballistic Shields in CQB Environments
I am an advocate of ballistic shields. They are not only appropriate for law enforcement clearing (slow methodical mode) or safety clears, but, with current weight reductions, can be employed in the slow dynamic technique mode which is a bridge technique between dynamic entries and law enforcement clears. Slow Dynamic Technique Explained Today’s Level IIIA shields are … [Read more...]
Proper Sniper Rifle Maintenance
The students had all been indoctrinated in a rather unusual method of cleaning their rifles. It was unusual in that it was totally ineffective (more on this later). To make a bad situation worse, one of my students had recently attended a state sponsored “seminar” which took police snipers out to the 1000 yard line and had them shoot. In my usual sensitive manner, I pointed out … [Read more...]
Comparing the Beretta PX4C Storm and Nano Subcompact Pistols
Beretta now has two polymer and steel subcompact pistols – the Px4C Storm Subcompact and the Nano. The Px4C is the subcompact version of the Px Storm (now the Px4), introduced in 2005, which was followed by a compact and, now, this subcompact version. Both the Px4C and the Nano are offered in 9x19mm or .40S&W chambering. The samples discussed here are in 9x19mm. The Nano is … [Read more...]
Problem Solving in the Aftermath of Disaster
In 1989, I found myself staring down the throat of Hurricane Hugo, a Category 4 hurricane which frequently gusted up to Category 5 status. My career had spanned a broad range of law enforcement experiences, but I quickly discovered how naïve I really was. The lessons learned didn’t come easy, but they proved invaluable in 1992 when I was dispatched to assist the Homestead (FL) … [Read more...]
Ankle Holsters: Convenient, but Deadly
The first time I saw an ankle holster was in the 1971 Academy Award winning movie, The French Connection. I was in high school at the time and I hadn’t even thought about a law enforcement career. My total focus was on two things: girls and sports – in that order! I saw the movie at the drive-in and I was immediately taken by the concept of strapping a gun to one’s leg. It was … [Read more...]
Continuing Education for Law Enforcement
There's been a lot of discussion during the past three decades about the usefulness of a college degree for a police officer. During this time, it has become obvious that a degree can be a massively beneficial tool for someone looking to become a police officer and for an officer who wants to advance his or her career. Last year (2012), the U.S. Census Bureau reported about … [Read more...]
Springfield XDS Review
In this Springfield XDS review, I take a look at the most recent version (and the smallest yet) of the XD pistols which is imported from Croatia by Springfield, with final assembly done in the U.S. The history of the XD pistol begins with IM Metal, Croatia, which, in 1991, began manufacturing a 9mm pistol (and a subsequent version in 1995) for the Croatian military and … [Read more...]
Ryburn v. Huff: Threat of Violence and Warrantless Entry into a Home
The following is not legal advice. It was written some time ago and laws may have changed. Reach out to your department's legal team for accurate and up to date information. In Ryburn v. Huff, 132 S.Ct. 987 (2012), the Court held that, based on the existing state of the law, a reasonable police officer may conclude that the Fourth Amendment permits an officer “to enter a … [Read more...]